The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama has ruled that diaspora chapters operated by Nigerian political parties have no legal backing under the country’s constitution, officially declaring the United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress unlawful.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Kekemeke on Wednesday, also invalidated the APC congress conducted in the United Kingdom. This decision brings to an end a major legal dispute regarding whether Nigerian political parties can establish and operate formal branches outside the country.
The legal battle was initiated by the Independent National Electoral Commission in a suit marked CV/187/2025. The electoral body had approached the court to determine the legality of the APC’s UK chapter and the congress conducted by the group.
In his decision, Justice Kekemeke held that the Nigerian Constitution and existing electoral laws do not recognize diaspora chapters of political parties registered in the country. He clarified that no political party has the authority to establish, maintain, or conduct official party activities beyond Nigeria’s territorial boundaries.
The court ruled that while Nigerians living abroad are free to support political candidates and participate in political discussions, political parties themselves cannot legally create formal structures or chapters outside Nigeria. According to the judgment, any congress, meeting, or official activity conducted under the platform of a diaspora chapter lacks constitutional validity, effectively nullifying the APC UK congress and all actions arising from it.
Justice Kekemeke further held that political parties are not empowered to organize congresses for members residing outside Nigeria, noting that the constitution clearly defines the framework within which political parties can operate and does not provide room for overseas branches.
The court also issued warnings regarding the administration of such groups, ruling that any political party, organization, or individual involved in creating, sponsoring, or promoting a diaspora chapter acts outside the law. The judge added that persons who preside over or manage such chapters—especially those involved in collecting membership dues, levies, or financial contributions—could face legal consequences, including fines and possible imprisonment.
A major aspect of the ruling concerned the funds generated through the activities of the APC UK chapter. The court ordered that more than 30 million Naira realized from the sale of forms connected to the congress be transferred to INEC.
INEC had argued before the court that the congress and other activities carried out by the APC’s UK chapter violated the constitutional and legal framework regulating political parties in Nigeria. The commission maintained that it was entitled to recover the funds collected through what it described as an unlawful process. The electoral body informed the court that the money generated from the congress exceeded 30 million Naira and sought orders compelling its recovery.
In the final judgment, the court granted all 14 reliefs sought by INEC, including several mandatory orders requested by the commission.
This ruling is expected to have significant implications for various political parties that maintain structures among Nigerians living abroad. For years, several parties have operated diaspora networks to mobilize support, raise funds, and coordinate political activities. However, the court’s decision has now firmly established that such structures cannot function as official chapters of political parties registered in Nigeria.
